It’s another big weekend in Michigan cycling, with no less than three (count’em) racing options. 

Saturday is another tough call for off-road racers, with the Rust Shaker and DuneCross both on the docket. The Rust Shaker, an outstanding mountain bike race in Harrison, Michigan, kicks off at 10.30 on the Mid Michigan Community College Campus. Weather for the area calls for a chance of rain and even thunderstorms, so the twisty, technical trails might be a tough muddy and sticky test for the likes of race favorite Jorden Wakeley and kolo t.c.’s other favorite rider, Joe Sovis.

Also on Saturday, DuneCross makes it debut just outside of Saugatuck, Michigan, taking on the sands and winds of the Lake Michigan shoreline. The wind will be whipping in a wet morning, but for the cyclocross nuts sure to turn up, it’s absolutely perfect for a ‘cross race.

Sunday is the 32nd annual Fisk Knob Time Trial, a true Michigan test each spring. Riders from all over the state will give their early season form a good test over the 17 mile course, with a finish high atop the Fisk Knob Climb that leads to the race venue, the Fisk Knob County Park. The race will extra tough if the wet weather forecasted materializes, exacerbated by strong winds almost certain. It is spring in Michigan…

Over in Europe, the Ardennes Classics kick off with the Amstel Gold Race. The first hilly, climbing contest of the one-day Classics, last year’s winner Philipe Gilbert will be hard pressed to defend his title after a lackluster spring with his new BMC squad. Riders like Katusha’s Joaquim Rodriguez, Euskatel-Euskadi’s Samuel Sanchez and RadioShack-Nissan’s Schleck-duo should all be gunning for the win over the lumpy course. Livestream links for the race will be up by 7.30am EST Sunday morning.

Good luck this weekend, everyone!